A man has been arrested and suspected drugs seized after a car was driven the wrong way on the M4 during a pursuit.
Police attempted to stop a Toyota Corolla which had been spotted travelling westbound on the motorway, close to Junction 15, at around 8.50 pm last night.
However, although the driver initially pulled over onto the hard shoulder, he then accelerated off, crossing two lanes of traffic.
Officers followed, but when the Toyota approached traffic, it performed a u-turn and started driving against the flow of traffic in lane three.
Due to the risk, the driver posed to other road users, police performed a tactical manoeuvre to bring the Toyota to a stop.
The driver, who was the only person in the car, was arrested at the scene and, when officers searched the vehicle they found suspected drugs and three mobile phones.
He was also found to be wanted in connection with other crimes in both the Wiltshire and Avon and Somerset areas.
A 21-year-old man from Swindon was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, aggravated burglary, aggravated vehicle taking and burglary.
He is currently in custody at Gablecross Police Station.
Sergeant Will Ayres, from Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Officers initially attempted to stop the vehicle due to intelligence about it being linked to various crimes, but the driver seemed determined to avoid being apprehended by police.
“Not only did the driver flee officers when he had been asked to pull over, but during his attempts to evade us, he turned against the flow of traffic and was driving the wrong way on a busy, dark motorway, posing an enormous risk to other motorists.
“Our officers had to act swiftly to prevent a serious collision and it was incredibly fortunate that nobody was hurt or injured.”
